Lophius
Members of the genus Lophius, also sometimes called monkfish, fishing-frogs, frog-fish and sea-devils, are well known off the coasts of Europe. The grotesque shape of its body and its singular habits have attracted the attention of naturalists of all ages. To the North Sea fishermen, this fish is known as the "monk," or "monkfish", a name which also belongs to Squatina squatina, the angelshark, a fish allied to the skates. The north European species is Lophius piscatorius, the Mediterranean species Lophius budegassa.
Species
The seven recognized extant species in this genus are :
Lophius americanus Valenciennes, 1837 (American angler)
Lophius budegassa Spinola, 1807 (blackbellied angler)
Lophius gastrophysus A. Miranda-Ribeiro, 1915 (blackfin goosefish)
Lophius litulon D. S. Jordan, 1902 (yellow goosefish)
Lophius piscatorius Linnaeus, 1758 (angler)
Lophius vaillanti Regan, 1903 (shortspine African angler)
Lophius vomerinus Valenciennes, 1837 (devil anglerfish)
†Lophius brachysomus Agassiz, 1835 (Monte Bolca, or Eocene anglerfish)
